Container for sanitizing a toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A container for sanitizing a toothbrush wherein the container includes a cavity into which a toothbrush can be inserted. The cavity is adapted to hold a fluid or sanitizing fluid and includes interior walls adapted to engage the toothbrush such that its bristles are restricted from bending outward.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent disclosure relates generally to a container for a toothbrush and, more particularly to a sanitizing container for a toothbrush

BACKGROUND

Toothbrushes can be stored in any number of ways, many of which are unsanitary. For example, toothbrushes are often stored vertically in a shared toothbrush holder, but are also at times simply placed horizontally on a countertop or other surface. Such storage can be unsanitary and can expose the toothbrush to a wide array of contaminants present in the air and/or on countertops, such as germs and bacteria. Additionally, known storage solutions often do not clean the toothbrush from contaminants present even during normal use.

Moreover, toothbrush holders storing multiple toothbrushes in a single area with no division between toothbrushes can increase the ability of contaminants to pass from one toothbrush to the next.

Past designs for toothbrush holders have included storing toothbrushes in a container and exposing the toothbrush to sanitizing agents such as a sanitizing gas, sanitizing liquid, or an ultraviolet light. These designs often can be complicated and can be difficult to use or manufacture. Many of these toothbrush storage units can also be difficult to clean.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a container for a toothbrush. The container includes a cavity and has at least one opening. The container also includes opposing interior walls within the cavity adapted to engage a toothbrush and restrict the bristles of the toothbrush from bending outward.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a container for a toothbrush. The container includes a cavity and has at least one opening. The container also includes in the cavity a bracket that has opposing interior walls adapted to engage a toothbrush and restrict the bristles of the toothbrush from bending outward. The container is also adapted to hold a fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the container for a toothbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the container for a toothbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the container for a toothbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 3E is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of two containers for a toothbrush of FIG. 1 connected to one another.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the container for a toothbrush of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the container for a toothbrush of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the container for a toothbrush of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of two containers for a toothbrush of FIG. 5 connected to one another.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container for a toothbrush in accordance with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage container for at least one toothbrush. The container can be adapted for use with a toothbrush and a fluid or other agent, to sanitize the toothbrush. The container preferably eliminates, retards, or corrects outward bending of toothbrush bristles that occurs during continued use of a toothbrush and/or continued storing of a toothbrush in a fluid.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a container 100 includes a base 102 and a storage vessel 104. The base 102 has a generally rectangular shape at least partially defined by four outside edges 106 extending substantially perpendicular relative to a top surface 108 and a bottom surface 110 of the base 102. In an alternative embodiment, the outside edges 106 may extend at an angle relative to the top and bottom surfaces 108, 110 of the base 102. For example, the outside edges 106 can be rounded, beveled, or have any other suitable configuration. Similarly the top surface 108 and the bottom surface 110 can have a circular, triangular, or any other suitable shape.

In one embodiment, the base 102 of the container 100 includes a structural component 112 that locks or otherwise engages multiple containers 100 together. As shown in FIG. 1, the structural component 112 includes a notch 114 extending along an edge of the top surface 108 of the base 102. A second notch 116 extends along an edge of the bottom surface 110 of the base 102. These notches 114 and 116 lie adjacent to catch portions 118 and 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, the notch 116 in the bottom surface 110 and the catch portion 120 of a first container 100 can interlock with a complementary notch 114 and catch portion 118 formed in a second container 100. Interlocking of the two containers 100 reduces the possibility of separation and may reduce clutter when two or more containers 100 are used.

An alternative embodiment for the connecting structural component 112 includes a tongue and groove type system, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7

As shown in FIGS. 5, 5A, and 5B, one edge of the base 102 includes a tongue 122 that extends from the base 102. The tongue 122 is illustrated as having a partially circular cross-section, but other shapes may be used. A complementary groove 124 is located on the base 102 opposite the tongue 122. The groove 124 has a complementary shape to the tongue 122 such that the tongue of one container 100 can be received into the groove 124 of another container 100. Two containers connected to one another using such a tongue and groove system are illustrated in FIG. 7.

Although two connecting mechanisms are shown, other mechanisms can be used to connect two or more containers 100 together. For example, other connection mechanisms can include a snap-fit connection or magnets appropriately positioned within the base 102.

The base 102 can be constructed using any suitable material. Examples of some materials include plastic, glass, paper, wax, metal, ceramic, rubber, wood, fabric, and recycled materials. Further, in some embodiments a base 102 is not necessary.

Common to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 is the storage vessel 104 that accepts the toothbrush. The vessel 104 includes a hollow portion forming a cavity 126 into which sanitizing fluid can be dispensed and held. The cavity 126 is arranged to accommodate the head of a toothbrush. Once a toothbrush is inserted into the cavity 126 the toothbrush can be stored, and optionally, a sanitizing fluid or other fluid is deposited in the cavity 126.

The storage vessel 104 has an outer surface 128 that extends generally perpendicular from the top surface 108 of the base 102, but other orientations may be used. Moreover, even though the vessel 104 is illustrated as having a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section, other cross-sections may be used.

The vessel 104 and base 102 may be formed unitarily or by multiple pieces. Additionally, the vessel 104 can have a bottom surface 129 and be able to hold liquid without being attached to the base 102 or alternatively it can have no bottom surface 129. For example, in some embodiments the vessel 104 can attach to the base 102 by screwing into the base 102. In embodiments that do not have a bottom surface 129 to the vessel 104, the vessel screwed into the base can create a liquid-tight seal.

The vessel 104 can be constructed using any suitable material. Examples of some materials include plastic, glass, paper, wax, metal, ceramic, rubber, wood, fabric, and recycled materials.

The cavity 126 inside the vessel 104 includes a bracket 130. As illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B, the bracket has a first end 132 that is closed and a second end 134 which is open and has a flared portion 135. The bracket 130 also has vertical walls 136, 137, 138 forming a channel 139 there between. In some embodiments, the bracket 130 can optionally include another vertical wall 140 as shown in FIG. 3C. The opposing walls 136, 138 are adapted to engage a toothbrush 141. In one embodiment, the bracket walls 136, 137, 138, 140 can be part of a separate (removable or affixed) bracket 130 or in another embodiment can be integral parts of the vessel 104 or the base 102. In one embodiment, the bracket walls 136, 138 include one or more holes 142 that extend therethrough and increase the circulation of fluid within the cavity 126. These holes 142 also reduce the possibility that fluid within the cavity will be ejected from the cavity 126 when a toothbrush is inserted into the cavity 126. For example, holes 142 may be formed in the bracket 130 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The opposing walls 136, 138 of the bracket 130 are adapted to hold the toothbrush in a generally upright position. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a head of the toothbrush is inserted into bracket 130 within the cavity 126 such that the bristles of the toothbrush head are within and point towards the flared portion 135 of the second end 134. The second end 134 is flared to help guide into the channel 139 any toothbrush bristles which may have already begun to bend outward. Once the toothbrush is inserted into the bracket 130 it can be pulled toward the first end 132 such that the back of the head of the toothbrush is adjacent to the first end 132. This arrangement ensures that the walls 136 and 138 will engage the toothbrush and eliminate or reduce the tendency of the bristles of the toothbrush to bend outward. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the top edge of any of walls 136, 137, 138, and 140 can be angled out so that a toothbrush is easier to guide into the bracket 130.

Advantageously, the toothbrush container 100 can be used in multiple different ways to accommodate different sized toothbrushes. For example, the heads of some toothbrushes may be too large to fit between the narrower portion of walls 136 and 138. In such circumstances, a head of the toothbrush is inserted into the bracket 130 within the cavity 126 such that the back surface of the toothbrush head is adjacent the second end 134 within the flared portion 135. In this arrangement (illustrated in FIG. 3B), the bristles of the toothbrush point towards the first end 132 and are still enclosed within in the channel 139 of the bracket 130. The walls 136, 138 press against the bristles and restrict the bristles from bending outward.

In other embodiments, the bracket 130 does not have a flared portion 135 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D). As illustrated in FIG. 3C, both the first end 132 and the second end 134 can be closed. As illustrated in FIG. 3D, the second end 134 can be open, but does not have to be flared.

The bracket 130 can be constructed using any suitable material. Examples of some materials include silicone, plastic, glass, paper, wax, metal, ceramic, rubber, wood, fabric, and recycled materials. Ideally, the bracket 130 is constructed with materials that can flex slightly to securely engage many different sized toothbrushes. In some embodiments, the bracket can include biasing devices such as springs to push against the walls of the bracket to more securely engage a toothbrush. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3E, the bracket includes springs 143 which connect at one end to the inner wall of vessel 104 and at the other end to the walls of the bracket 136, 137, and 138. These springs 143 push against the flexible walls 136, 137, and 138 and thus more securely engage a toothbrush.

Components of the container 100, including the base 102, storage vessel 104, and bracket 130, are ideally constructed such that they can be cleaned in an automated dishwashing machine.

The container 100 may also include additional features which will make it more useful to a user. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the container 100 can include an indicator 144 which alerts the user that a toothbrush is inserted into the container 100. This indicator 144 can be any suitable form. For example, the indicator 144 can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a speaker emitting an audible sound.

The container 100 can also include other devices which can enhance the sanitizing ability of the container 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the container 100 can include an ultrasonic cleaner 146 which utilizes ultrasound to enhance the cleaning ability of a sanitizing solution. The container 100 can also include an ultraviolet light 148 in the cavity 126 to enhance the sanitizing effect of the container 100.

The container 100, as illustrated in FIG. 9, may also include an outer layer or outer skin 152 encircling the vessel 104 behind which a picture or other thin material can be inserted. This can increase the ability of users to determine which toothbrush belongs to them when multiple containers 100 are connected together. Other modifications to the container 100 can be made which increase the user's ability to differentiate between toothbrushes, such as, for example, containers 100 can be made with different colored materials and/or materials with different designs on them.

In some embodiments, the container 100 does not include a base 102. As illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, the container 100 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but it does not include a base 102. In other embodiments, for example, to conserve space, the vessel 104 can be similar in size and shape to the interior walls 136, 137, 138, and 140, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

In some embodiments, the container 100 does not rest on a substantially horizontal surface such as a countertop. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the container 100 can include a suction cup 154 or other similar connection device such that the container 100 can be connected to a wall or other substantially vertical surface.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

1. A toothbrush container for a toothbrush having a brush head with bristles that extend substantially perpendicular to the brush head comprising: a vessel forming a cavity and at least one opening; wherein there are two substantially parallel opposing interior walls included within the cavity that are adapted to engage the head of the toothbrush and equally restrict substantially all of the bristles from bending outward.
 2. The toothbrush container of claim 1 wherein the opposing interior walls are part of a bracket affixed within the cavity.
 3. The toothbrush container of claim 1 wherein the opposing interior walls are part of a removable bracket disposed within the cavity.
 4. The toothbrush container of claim 1 wherein the opposing interior walls are integral with the vessel.
 5. The toothbrush container of claim 1 further comprising: a base supporting the vessel, and wherein the container is adapted to hold fluid.
 6. The toothbrush container of claim 5 wherein the base is removable from the vessel.
 7. The toothbrush container of claim 5 wherein the vessel and the base are unitary.
 8. The toothbrush container of claim 5 wherein the base is adapted to interlock with a base of a like toothbrush container.
 9. A toothbrush container for a toothbrush having a brush head with bristles that extend substantially perpendicular to the brush head, comprising: a vessel forming a cavity and at least one opening; a bracket disposed within the cavity having a first interior wall, an opposing second interior wall, and a connecting wall, the first interior wall being substantially parallel to the second interior wall and the two interior walls being adapted to restrict substantially all of the bristles from bending outward; wherein the first interior wall and the second interior wall each have a height, the height of said opposing interior walls being substantially equal and so dimensioned as to surround all of the bristles of the toothbrush; wherein the connecting wall rigidly connects to and extends between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, the connecting wall forming a non-adjustable width between the two parallel opposing interior walls, the width so dimensioned that the opposing interior walls are positioned immediately adjacent the sides of the head of the toothbrush and equally restrict substantially all of the bristles of the toothbrush from bending outward; and wherein the container is adapted to hold fluid.
 10. The toothbrush container of claim 9 wherein the bracket is removable.
 11. The toothbrush container of claim 9 wherein the bracket is affixed within the cavity.
 12. The toothbrush container of claim 9 wherein the bracket is integral with the vessel.
 13. The toothbrush container of claim 9 wherein the vessel includes an ultrasonic cleaning device disposed within the cavity.
 14. The toothbrush container of claim 9 wherein the vessel includes an ultraviolet light disposed within the cavity.
 15. The toothbrush container of claim 9 further comprising: a base connected to the vessel.
 16. The toothbrush container of claim 15 wherein the vessel is removable from the base.
 17. The toothbrush container of claim 15 wherein the vessel and the base are unitary.
 18. The toothbrush container of claim 15 wherein the base is adapted to interlock with a base of a like toothbrush container.
 19. The toothbrush container of claim 15 wherein at least one of the vessel, the base, and the bracket is made of plastic.
 20. The toothbrush container of claim 15 wherein at least one of the vessel, the base, and the bracket is made of metal.
 21. The toothbrush container of claim 15 further comprising: an indicator adapted to signal when a toothbrush is engaging the interior walls.
 22. The toothbrush container of claim 9 wherein said opposing interior walls are flexible, and wherein spring members are provided within the vessel to bias said interior walls against the toothbrush.
 23. A kit comprising: a toothbrush having a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, said first end including a brush head, said brush head including bristles extending substantially perpendicular to the brush head and substantially parallel to said first and second sides; a vessel forming a cavity and at least one opening; a bracket disposed within the cavity having a first interior wall, an opposing second interior wall, and a connecting wall, the first interior wall being substantially parallel to the second interior wall and the two interior walls being adapted to restrict substantially all of the bristles from bending outward; wherein the first interior wall and the second interior wall each have a height, the height of said opposing interior walls being substantially equal and so dimensioned as to surround all of the bristles of the toothbrush; wherein the connecting wall rigidly connects to and extends between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, the connecting wall forming a non-adjustable width between the two parallel opposing interior walls, the width so dimensioned that the opposing interior walls are immediately adjacent the first and second sides of the brush head of the toothbrush and equally restrict substantially all of the bristles of the toothbrush from bending outward; and wherein the vessel is adapted to hold fluid.
 24. The toothbrush container of claim 10 further comprising: a first flared wall connecting to the first interior wall and flaring out at an angle away from the second interior wall; a second flared wall connecting to the second interior wall and flaring out at an angle away from the first interior wall; wherein the first flared wall and the second flared wall each have a height, the height of said flared walls being substantially equal and being substantially equal to the height of the first and second interior walls.
 25. The toothbrush container of claim 11 further comprising: a first flared wall connecting to the first interior wall and flaring out at an angle away from the second interior wall; a second flared wall connecting to the second interior wall and flaring out at an angle away from the first interior wall; wherein the first flared wall and the second flared wall each have a height, the height of said flared walls being substantially equal and being substantially equal to the height of the first and second interior walls. 